Rui Hachimura sat out his first game of the season on Saturday, facing the Milwaukee Bucks due to a calf injury. Head coach JJ Redick confirmed that Hachimura had been struggling with this issue throughout the week. Redick chose not to risk aggravating the injury during the back-to-back game schedule, emphasizing that the situation does not seem serious.
In addition to Hachimura, Marcus Smart was also absent due to a viral illness. This opened the door for Bronny James and Jake LaRavia to step into the starting lineup. Notably, it marked James’ first start of the season and the second of his young career.
Lakers Rookie Shines in NBA Debut
Another highlight from the game was the debut of rookie forward Adou Thiero. Thiero entered the match late, contributing four points and one rebound in roughly five minutes. This debut came during a dominant win for the Lakers, where the game’s outcome was never in doubt.
Controversy Over Game Ball
After the game, a controversy unfolded regarding the game ball meant for Thiero. Jarred Vanderbilt attempted to present the ball to Thiero after his scoring milestone, but referee crew chief Pat Fraher intervened. Fraher took the ball away, stating it belonged to the Bucks and handed it to a team attendant instead. Vanderbilt expressed frustration over the referee’s decision, questioning its rationale and intent.
In a surprising turn of events, Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo got involved. He retrieved the ball from the Bucks’ attendant and personally delivered it to Luka Doncic, who presented it to Thiero in the Lakers’ locker room. Thiero expressed gratitude for his teammates’ support, reflecting on the team’s strong camaraderie.
Upcoming Returns and Trade Talks
Looking ahead, LeBron James may return to action as early as Tuesday. The 40-year-old star has been recovering from sciatica and recently practiced with the team’s G League affiliate. Additionally, there were previous discussions regarding Anthony Davis’ potential trade, particularly during the Lakers’ interest in acquiring Doncic. These conversations centered around the 2025 offseason rather than imminent trades, but circumstances changed with the opportunity to land Doncic.
- Hachimura’s Injury: Calf soreness, ruled out of the game against the Bucks.
- Debut of Adou Thiero: Four points, one rebound in under five minutes.
- LeBron James: Potential return on Tuesday after dealing with sciatica.
- Anthony Davis Trade Talks: Previously explored but changed with Doncic acquisition opportunity.
